Refrigerator.



. Patented lan. I F. A. wlLKE. 6 '900' HEFRIGERATOR.

(Application led May 15, 1899,)

(No Model.)

3 Zay/Wu,

NrTnD STATES PATENT Fries.

FREDERICK A. VILKE, OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE VILKE l MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA.

REFRIGERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming* part f Letters Patent N0. 641,421, dated. J 21.111.13.125A 16, 19.00.

Application filed May 1899. Serial No2 716,838. (No model.)

To all whom. it may concern..-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK A. WILKE, residin g at Richmond,in the county of Wayne and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Refrigerators, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide means whereby tiling may be utilized for the construction of refrigerators. Tiling is especially adapted for this purpose on account of its non conduction of heat characteristics, non-corrosiveness, non-absorbent qualities, and the high degree of ornamentation and finish which it imparts to an article. It is, however, such a refractory composition that no f means have ever been provided for applying it to refrigerators outside and inside. I preferably use glazed porcelain tile, which is highly ornamental.

The features of myinvention are more fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my improvement. Fig. 2 is a side elevation with one-half of the outer facing removed. Fig. 8 is a section on line x, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section through a portion of the front wall and doors on line .e e, Fig. l.

The means I employ for the purposes named consist, preferably, of a skeleton box or frame A, having the ribs a suitably united together and mortised or otherwise giving an outline desired for the shape of the refrigerator. Upon the outside and inside of this skeleton frame blocks of tiling B are applied as follows: They are laid across the frame in such manner that their lines of intersection will bridge the ribs of the skeleton frame, as shown at b, Fig. 2. The corners of each tile are clipped off sufficiently to allow the screws c to be inserted into the frame at the point of intersection of four tile plates, as d, at the intersection of tiles 1 2 3 4. As shown in Fig. 3, the preferred method of fastening devices consists of screws having heads adapted to engage the tiles exteriorly. A molding C :may be provided along the edges of the frame, if desired, or it may be left plain with nothing but tile exposed. Some of the tiles, as at D E, Fig. 1, may be supported vertically upon the door-frames, in which case the screws pass between the meeting edges of two tiles instead of at the point of intersection-of four. It is obvious that this method could be variously modified without departing materially from the scope of myinvention. The frame is completely covered by tiles, outside and inside in this manner, the spaces between the ribs ofthe skeleton frame being filling, preferably a ibrousnon-conducting material, such as mineral wool.- Between the heads of the screws and the tile rubber washers e are preferably employed to protect the tile. The uneven exposed surfaces of the refrigerator where tile couldnot be conveniently applied-namely, where the door-frames and doors abut, as shown in Fig. 4--are covered with metal strips, three pieces being shown-f g, attached to the outside and inside of the door edges, and h, attached to the edges of the door-frames,t'rep resenting a strip of rubber attached to the edges of the door-frame against which the doors strike when closed. Vhen completed, the only surface exposed outside and inside is the tiling-plate, with the exception of the edges of the door-frames and doors, which parts are not much exposed to view andunot at all exposed to the gases of the refrigerator when closed. This framework may be of any suitable material,wood preferred as the cheapest and easiest constructed, and the skeleton form is also preferred, as it allows the non-conducting ibrous filling to be employed. The frame might be of solid wood, however, or other suitable material.

The advantages of this refrigerator are obvious. The tile facing and lining is one of the most desirable non-conductors of heat known and makes a perfect refrigeration, especially when containing between the outer and inner faces the mineral-wool filling or equivalent non-cond uctor. The tile is refractory, does not absorb the gases and vapors from theperishable food usually kept in re frigerators, and does not corrode, like the zinc or other linings hitherto used. In fact, neither the evaporation of the ice and resultant condensation nor the action of the many gases which result from the perishable nature of the contents has the slightest effect on the tile, avoiding all unpleasant odor and the infecroo tion of new articles of food from the absorbed vapors of the old. Also, the ice lasts much longer and the food is kept longer and in better condition. It presents a beautiful appearance externally and internally and is easily cleaned.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. A double-wall tile refrigerator consisting of an intermediate frame having glazed tile blocks applied to the outsideand inside thereof and secured thereto, by means of fastening devices inserted between the meeting edges of the blocks and tapping into the abutting sections of the intermediate frame on opposite sides thereof, substantially as specified.

2. Adoublewall tile refrigerator consisting of an intermediate skeleton frame, having tile blocks applied to the outside and inside thereof, and secured thereto by means of fastening devices inserted between the meeting edges of the blocks abutting the ribs of the skeleton frame and tapping into the same from opposite sides whereby a jacket-space is provided between the tile Walls and intermediate ribs of the frame, substantially as specified.

3. A double-wall tile refrigerator consist-ing of an intermediate skeleton frame, having tile blocks applied to the outside and inside thereof, and secured thereto by means of fastening devices inserted between the meeting edges of the blocks abutting the ribs of the skeleton frame and tapping into the saine from opposite sides, the outside `corn-er edges having overlapping covering-strips secured to the intermediate frame substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

v FREDERICK A. WILKE.

lVitnesses:

W. P. WooD,

OLIvER B. KAISER. 

